Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-29

ZEE had an Elastic skin.

THE ST. LOUIS MEDICAL SOCIETY TREATED TO A
CURIOUS EXHIBITION.
ST. LOUIS. Nov. 29.-The meeting OF the St
Louis Medical society saturday night was largely
attended. and the proceedings were intensely in
terpsiinC When DR.. Ohmann-Dumesnil an
nOuncef that he mad brought with him a patient
DO,Sssp OF an elastic SkiB, more elastic In fact
than that Of any -. man on earth, the members
which was that DIR. Dumesnil had imported a dime
museum frrak. or that he was only testing They
his patient forward and stripped him preparatory
TO the exam'nattOn- HIS clothes removed, the
patient presented clean, neat ngure. His
skin was white and clear IL was thin,
and 20 the touch appe red sort and vel
vety: The doctors gathered round the patient
took o good hold OF the skin on the side OF the
patients neck, and holding tight, pulled it some
inches away from the flesh. Holding 1t there.
lght was paced back OF the stretched skin, and
the members OF the society examined II closely.
Then the Other gentlemen present were Invited to
Of Of ,ae skin bmo Or
PACK ana arms. and pulled and hauled him until
ne was Tired out. although he did not complain OF
any pain or annoyance. NO exertion was necessary
10 extend the skin or inches rom the flesh on
any part OF the cody. The patlen, seemed TO enjoy
the attention he was receiving at the hands OF the
scientific examiners, and listened earnestly 70
what they had TO say about his anatomical pecu-
hartty. Dr. Du1lesnii explained that In all prooa-
bility the subcuIaneous fat gone and the 1hers
extended, which explained the CONDITION Of the
skin The matter was discussed at length.
Probably the Oldest Living American.
He WAS BORN ON July 4, 17Ss. AND Is STILL CLEAR
HEADED AND HEARTY.
Dxrrofr, MICH, Nov. 2a-Fhe oldest natfye-born
American living Is supposed TO be Matthew W.
Burchard, who resides In a pleasant residence on
Adelaide street, surrounded by every comfort and
cheered by the society of three generations OF
descendants Born upon the anniversary Of the
nations Independence, ne win be one hundred
years old II he lives Till the Atm OF July, lsss M
Burchard Is native Of Massachusetts, and Is
self-ulade man. In 1899 he came TO Detroit then
a town OF 5000 people, and has lived here con-
stantly since. he built the Howard and Gr1SWOld
Houses and accumulated a large property. Even
now he l. remarkably clear-headed butexpresSes
himself principally In verse. At the age OF ninety
Mt Burehard, without any previous intimation OF
what he was going 20 90, made Application 10 the
Probate Court Tor the appointment OF guardian,
stating that he was getting too old 10 manage his
affairs. The court remarked that by tine appiica-
tton Mr.. Bu -chard had shown he possessed IN
paralleled wisdom for one so old, and IL looked as
Il he was RbundaDtly able 20 run his own ship
aw lille longer; but his application was granted
He has eleven children and eighteen grandchildren
living. His health is excellent. He sits up all
day, rises early in the morning, ana apparently
enjoys life much rs most men or sixty. A teSti-
mODial Will b. gotten up for MIR. Burchard on his
one hundredtn birthday.